Frequency of Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome Among Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy: A Teaching Hospital Experience

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Post-cholecystectomy syndrome is defined as upper abdominal pain or dyspepsia that persists after the cholecystectomy. Some studies show its incidence is about 40%. This study aims to find out the frequency of early post-cholecystectomy syndrome at our hospital and its possible cause.
Methods: It was an observational study conducted at POF Hospital Wah Cantt from January 2018 to January 2022. 505 patients who underwent cholecystectomy were included in this study to find the incidence and cause of post-cholecystectomy syndrome. All the data were noted in a predesigned proforma and entered in SPSS version 24.0.
Results: Out of 505, 59 patients were diagnosed as cases of post cholecystectomy syndrome with an incidence of 11.68%. 40(67.7%) were female, 19(32.2%) were male. The mean age of the patient was 38.43±8years. In 36(61%) patients, no cause of pain was found. In 12(20%) patients the cause was acid- peptic diseases. Three(5%) patients have CBD stones, 2(3.3%) patients have the remnant of the gallbladder, 2(3.3%) patients had a fluid collection, 2(3.3%) patient had pancreatitis, 1(1.6%) patient had scar pain (hypertrophic scar) and 1(1.6%) patient had periampullary growth.
Conclusion: The incidence of post-cholecystectomy syndrome is significant. Any patient presenting with pain postoperatively should be examined and thoroughly investigated for possible treatable causes.
Keywords: Post-cholecystectomy syndrome, Acid peptic diseases, jaundice, laparoscopic cholecystectomy.